Heavy rain, high winds, coastal flooding on the way

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning and a coastal flood watch for eastern Massachusetts for a storm arriving early on Friday and continuing into Saturday.

The forecast calls for one to three inches of rain, with as much as four inches possible in some places. Rivers and streams and poor drainage areas may flood.

Emergency management officials are urging residents in neighborhoods along the coast to evacuate ahead of an "extremely dangerous" storm expected to bring up for four inches of rain and waves as high as 25 feet starting Friday.

The wind warning extends from 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday, with north winds to 40 mph and gusts to 65 mph. The strongest winds are expected Friday afternoon and evening. Damage to trees, power lines and property and power failures are possible.

The coastal flood watch will be in effect from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon from Nantucket to New Hampshire, with a flood watch for much of central Massachusetts.

The effect of the full moon and strong winds are expected to cause a storm surge of up to three feet during the three high tides, with the peaks on the South Shore at 11 a.m. and midnight Friday and noon Saturday. Moderate to major coastal flooding is likely.

The wind will be from the north at up to 40 mph, gusting to 65. A small craft advisory has been issued for the coast and a gale warning offshore.

The MBTA has cancelled all ferry service on Friday.

The storm is expected to result in scattered structural widespread, flooding of low-lying roads along the shore and homes.

Some roads may become impassable and vulnerable neighborhoods could be cut of for several hours at a time. Evacuations may be necessary.

Major coastal flooding is considered severe enough to put lives at risk, along with causing the destruction of buildings and road washouts.